Catheter shaft and method of manufacture

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a catheter assembly generally includes providing a catheter shaft having an outer layer and an inner reinforcing layer; removing at least a portion of the outer layer from a length of the distal end of the catheter shaft in order to expose a distal segment thereof; providing an inner jacket segment; axially engaging the inner jacket segment with an interior surface of the distal segment of the catheter shaft; providing an outer jacket segment around at least the exposed exterior region of the distal segment of the catheter shaft; and bonding the distal segment of the catheter shaft to the inner jacket segment and the outer jacket segment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A catheter assembly comprising:
 a catheter shaft having an axial length, a proximal end, a distal end, an outer layer of a first material, and an inner reinforcing layer; 
 an outer jacket segment of a second material having an axial length, a proximal end, and a distal end, the second material being different from the first material; 
 said catheter shaft operatively connected at its distal end to the proximal end of said outer jacket segment; 
 said inner reinforcing layer of the catheter shaft extending throughout the entire axial length of the catheter shaft and the outer jacket segment, 
 wherein the outer jacket segment is configured to assume a fixed arcuate shape along its axial length. 
 
     
     
       2. The catheter shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the axial length of the outer jacket segment further comprises materials of different durometer hardness. 
     
     
       3. The catheter shaft of  claim 1 , further comprising a steering mechanism configured to steer a distal portion of the catheter shaft.